Guatemala: Fishing in Lake Atitlán

Guatemalan fishermen in San Juan la Laguna are having a difficult time making enough money to support their families. An increased use of fertilizers has contributed to pollution in Lake Atitlán that, along with the rising water level in the lake, has resulted in dwindling numbers of fish. In this video Bernadino Bizarro, a local fisherman, and Manuel Barrutia, a scientist who has been studying the lake, describe the fishermen's plight.

[@garyengler165]

So sad. My environmental science class just watched this clip is association with a case study on the lake. It really brought it to life. And brought some students to tears.

[@RobertMenefee]

Really good video. I'm going to Santa Cruz on Lake Atitlan to study Spanish for a month. I visited the lake twenty-five years ago. Your report is sad. I'll see for myself and also take some video. Keep up your excellent work.

[@nelsonlopez2756]

La misma población, cochina contamina el lago, se les educa de la contaminación, y ellos no entienden, es igualmente con el número de hijos, que tienen se les educa, pero no entienden, y al final, ellos y sus niños sufren, soy de Guatemala, los saludo de Houston Texas.

[@stevecole2616]

Stop the fertilizers from going into the lake.

[@robertsanchez7374]

My poor country😢😢🤍💙💙. I just returned from a 2 week stay and was fortunate to be able to visit this beautiful lake. I did see local villagers out on the lake fishing but didn’t really see if they were catching anything or not. I hope the situation has gotten better but I fear the lake may be dead. My poor people😭😭😢.

[@raymondulrich8993]

it’s not dead fam

[@raymondulrich8993]

They’re working on controlling the invasive carp population and cleaning the lake and reintroducing some native fishes

[@raymondulrich8993]

also putting effort into keeping the watershed clean to reduce the dead zone damage

[@sarahbaytopscott5602]

Fascinating video!! I’m moving to the area in a few months! How would I get more involved?

[@katmandoo375]

You need to work with the Cafe Association, to find a alternative to the nitro and pesticide problem. I knew a cafe grower who owned much land around the lake. This is your solution. He had a home in Ju can ya. 4 houses in from the river and lake. Good luck and keep up the good work.

[@Mechanicallyincleyend]

I'm going there in a few weeks I guess I'll leave my rod at home

[@stuartskrabec1156]

the women doing laundry in the lake can't be helping

[@kylewalker7072]

you can try introducing fresh water muscles, they are readily available and great at filtering the water. but without sewage control and limits on what and how much the fishermen can take it is a lost cause

[@guavaleaf4208]

Introduced fish are the reason there are no fish

[@panamapjack9152]

I don't think the Pozo run from the homes to the lake is helping.

[@charlesleeray4831]

Sounds like his Spanish is his second language

[@fishingWithHector]

This dude has a weird accent almost like he was speaking Portuguese, lived there for 9 years and never heard it

[@gotarheelz14]

I also found this really interesting. I think it's probably because he's part of an indigenous population who lives on the shores of the lake. My guess is that he first learned a mayan dialect and only learned Spanish as an afterthought. I think he probably speaks his own mayan language with friends, family and other members of his group people. If you listen closely, his noun verb agreement is off and to be honest, I know english speakers here in the US who speak just as good if not better Spanish than he does. He also either mispronounces words and, while he's close other times, he actually doesn't know the word. For example, he says "viente" instead of "viento," which means wind.

[@mattihalmari2539]

TheSkunkedFisherman He has a native accent, you clearly haven't lived in Guatemala. This is the individuals Mayan ancestry that gives him it

[@shakira1784]

@@mattihalmari2539 gracias por aclararle a estos que no saben.

[@joshuahermosillo7975]

Mentira eso es mentira claro q ay oxígeno ...ellos an terminado

[@bondedteam626]

I would say, grow your own fish instead of fishing